Equations for predicting diameter, height, crown width, and leaf area of San Joaquin Valley street trees

Abstract

Although the modeling of energy-use reduction, air pollution uptake, rainfall interception, and microclimate modification associated with urban trees depends on data relating diameter at breast height (dbh) , crown height, crown diameter, and leaf area to tree age or dbh, scant information is available for common municipal tree species . I n this study , tree height , crow n width , crow n height , dbh , and leaf area were measured for 1 2 common street tree species in the Sa n Joaquin Valley city of Modesto, California , U.S . The randomly sample d tree s were planted from 2 to 8 9 years ago. Using age or dbh as explanatory variables , parameter s such as dbh , tree height, crown width, crown height, and leaf area responses were modeled using two equations . There was strong correlation (adjusted R 2 > 0.70) for total height, crown diameter, and leaf area with dbh. Correlations for dbh with age and crown height for several species were weaker. The equations for predicting tree sizes and leaf area are presented and applied to compare size and growth for all specie s 15 and 30 years after planting. Tree height, crown diameter, and dbh growth rates tended to slow during the second 15 years, but the leaf are a growth rate increase d for most species. Comparisons of predicted sizes for three species common to Modesto and Santa Monica trees suggest that pruning has a significant impact on tree size and leaf area , potentially more than climate and soil characteristics .

Citation

Peper, P.J.; McPherson, E.G.; Mori, S.M. 2001. Equations for predicting diameter, height, crown width, and leaf area of San Joaquin Valley street trees. Journal of Arboriculture 27: 306-317.